Stockport will present an interesting challenge. The side promoted from North Two through the play-offs [they are the only N2W side to have beaten a N2E side in the promotion decider] feel they were unlucky to lose 14-18 at home to Morley last week.
Having been given two consecutive home games to start the season, they'll be desperate to reverse that result before setting off on their travels next week when they visit West Park.
On the day they beat City to clinch promotion it was their backs who impressed and, providing the Headland Road pitch has dried out, it could be an entertaining encounter.
The ground will be familiar to some of the current West squad, especially Davy Tighe who was uncharacteristically sent off during a cup game there after taking temporary charge of coaching the week after Rod McLure's departure.
He had gone to the aid of winger Darren Thomas who was on his back with two Stockport players threatening him from above. Tighe pushed one away and he tumbled over the crowd barrier. Referee Calum Fraser yellow carded home winger Dan Eccles before sending Tighe off for “ungentlemanly conduct.” We lost 20-7 that day but it was a game which could have gone either way up until the controversial sending off.
Thomas will have to be content with a pace on the bench again despite coming on and scoring last week. The Cheslin twins are performing well on the wings, with Colin bagging a brace of tries last week, and benefiting from the experience of Jamie Connolly who is fit to resume in the centre.
There was some great flowing rugby in the second half against Middlesbrough with the new boys more than playing their part - although strangely none of them got on the score sheet. Let's hope they put that right in Greater Manchester.
West15 Iain Dixon 14 Andrew Cheslin 13 Gareth Kerr 12 Jamie Connolly 11 Colin Cheslin 10 Paul Moss 9 Davy Tighe 1 Anth Carr [capt] 2 Andrew Dixon 3 Carl Robinson 4 Tom Dixon 5 Dan Boatman 6 Jon Boatman 7 Aaron Myers 8 Paul Vinnicombe 16 Jon Norris 17 Carl Miller 18 Darren Thomas